Turnover down slightly for sugar confectionery manufacturers in 2006

37th ISM to feature 1,609 suppliers from 72 countries

Following several years of at times rapid growth, turnover for manufacturers of sugar confectionery declined in 2006. According to calculations by the Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI), production output dropped slightly by 1.2% to 539,000 tonnes, which corresponds to a decline in value of 2.2% to €1.73 billion.

In addition to the hot summer, which also affected the sugar confectionery sector, the manufacturers of sugar confectionery suffered from a dramatic increase in the price of glucose. This development is expected to lead to significant price increases for products with a high glucose content, such as bonbons, liquorice and fruit gums. The sector is therefore closely monitoring the development of bioethanol production. The rise in the output of biofuels made of renewable resources such as grain is expected to have a dramatic medium-term effect on the availability of raw ingredients for the sugar confectionery industry. This will, in turn, also lead to further increases in the prices of raw ingredients.

The exports of sugar confectionery developed favourably. A total of 164,000 tonnes of goods were exported, an increase of 4.2% on the previous year. In terms of value, exports rose by as much as 5.4% to €526 million. The biggest increases were registered in the exports to neighbouring countries in Europe.

Imports of sugar confectionery also increased substantially, rising in volume by 3.7% to 134,000 tonnes, and in value by 3.1% to €376 million.

Per capita consumption developed in line with production, declining by 1.5% to 6.18 kg or €20.39.

Due to the Claims ordinance regulating health and nutrition-related claims for food products (added vitamins, sugar-free, etc.), the manufactures of sugar confectionery now face sweeping changes. The new regulations will have dramatic effects on products in the coming years with regard to the use of health and nutrition-related claims or vitamins.

A total of 1,609 suppliers from 72 countries will be taking part in the 37th ISM in Cologne (28th to 31st January 2007). The fair will occupy 115,000 m² of gross exhibition space in Halls 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11 at the Cologne exhibition centre. Only specialist buyers from the wholesale and retail trades are admitted to ISM. The organisers of ISM are Koelnmesse and the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Working Group (AISM), which is the conceptual sponsor.

Following its successful premiere in 2006, ProSweets Cologne, the international supplier fair for the confectionery industry, will be held this year for the second time. This event (29th January to 1st February 2007) will overlap with ISM on three days.